Fireworks were expected in Lamar Jackson's debut, but instead his first pass as a Viking was intercepted and the Vikings offense was kept mostly in check, despite winning 28-6. The Cowboys controlled possession and the flow of the game for most of the first half, but the Vikings D was able to keep them out of the end zone. The Vikings first touchdown came on a huge pick-six by safety Xavier Woods and Lamar was finally able to get the offense on the board with a pass to Adam Thielen. In the second half the Vikings added a touchdown run by Cook in the third and another touchdown pass to Jefferson with 3 minutes left sealed the game and the Vikings will look to the upcoming bye week to find their groove. 

Other Notes:

The Cowboys out-snapped the Vikings 52-30 and outgained them 364 to 282.

Cook was held to 5 carries in the first half, a huge deviation from the winning formula the Vikings used last year. He finished with 74 yards on 14 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

In what can only be described as arguably the most pathetic offensive showing in NFL history, the Vikings steamrolled the Giants 56-0, holding the Giants to 10 yards of total offense, thanks mostly to 2/19 performance from rookie QB Spencer Ratler. This game saw the first action of the Vikings switching back to a 4-3 Defense, but the real test will come next week against the Dallas Cowboys.

Despite the big game, the real shockwave came after as the Vikings made a huge deal to secure disgruntled QB Lamarr Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange or starting QB Kellen Mond, 2023 First Round Pick, 2023 Second Round Pick, and 2024 First Round Pick. After the trade was confirmed, the Vikings released Calais Campbell and restructured the contract of aging superstar Harrison Smith to sign Jackson to a huge 7 year deal averaging 37 mil a year. When asked about the trade, coach Eriksen had this to say: "This team feels very good about the pieces we have here and we think the world of Mond and thank him for the work he put in for us, but when we have the chance to secure a generational talent like Jackson, we have to work for it. We are all in for the Superbowl this year and we think Jackson can get us over the top in this grueling division and lead us there for years to come"

Jackson is currently 4th in the NFL in pass yards, but also has the 3rd highest number of INTs, totaling 15 in 4 games. With Dalvin Cook in the backfield and a slew of superstar receivers, Jackson hopes to right the ship and get back to MVP form. 

In a rematch of last years Wildcard Playoff game, the Vikings were able to outlast the home team Eagles 34-30. Forecasters called for hurricane like conditions, but aside from some wind, the field remained dry throughout the game. After a turnover on the opening drive, the Eagles were able to score a touchdown on a 3rd down QB sneak. The Vikings answered with a 21 yard touchdown pass to Dalvin Cook. The Eagles mustered a FG and the Vikings answered with a 58 yard touchdown pass from Mond to Jefferson. The Vikings and Eagles then exchanged touchdowns on 4 consecutive drives to end the half 34-24 (TD pass to Goedert, TD run by Cook, TD pass to Reagor. TD run by Cook). 

The fireworks subsided in the second half, with the Vikings being held scoreless and holding the Eagles to 6 points on 2 field goals. After an inexcusable INT at the 7yd line, the Eagles had one last chance to march down the field to score, but veteran Harrison Smith snatched a pass intended for Goedert and Cook ran out the clock to secure the win. 

Other Notes:

Dalvin Cook returned to form, rushing for 180 yards and scoring 3 TDs. 

Mond came back down to earth a bit, throwing for 3 TDs but also throwing 2 INTs, his first of the year.

The Vikings run defense continues to look vulnerable, giving up 98 yards on 19 carries, but there is some saving grace knowing 55 came on a single play). This has prompted Coach Eriksen to consider a move back to the 4-3 that proved so effective last year. 

WR Adam Thielen went down in the 2nd quarter with a shoulder injury. Listed as questionable for next weeks game against the Giants of New York. 

The Minnesota Defense showed up, but not how they were expecting. After spending big on veteran defensive lineman, the Vikings gave up 136 yards on the ground to the visiting Atlanta Falcons. Reigning MVP Dalvin Cook on the other hand was limited to 56 yards on 22 carries, but did manage to salvage the day with a receiving touchdown in the redzone. However, the passing defense for the Vikings picked up the slack, intercepting Jordan Love 4 times and turning 2 of those into touchdowns. 2nd year QB Kellen Mond was efficient, completing 13/15 passes for 281 yards. Adam Thielen led receivers with 101 yards receiving, with a long of 66.

Other notables:

The Vikings D Line was also in on the turnover action. Von Miller continued his string of sacks from the pre-season, creating the first sack-fumble of the season and defensive touchdown by Danielle Hunter. Michael Pierce also got in on the turnover action, forcing a fumble that was recovered by newcomer Calais Campbell. 

This week the Vikings look to get their run game on track against the Detroit Lions who are coming off a big offensive show in their 42-20 win over the Giants of New York. 

After a disappointing 2020 season, the Vikings bounced back in a big way under new coach and longtime fan Marshall Eriksen going 14-3, winning their first playoff game since 2019 before being ousted by their bitter rivals and eventual Super Bowl champ the Green Bay Packers in a blizzard game in the Divisional Round. 

Heading into the Offseason, the Vikings looked to add youth to their Secondary and add playmakers on defense to help take them over the top. The addition of Von Viller and Calais Campbell (a favorite of Coach Eriksen) paired with All-Pro Danielle Hunter hope to make for one of the most fearsome defensive fronts in the league. To aid in taking their defense to the next level, there are rumblings of a move to a 3-4 scheme to compliment the new additions.  These additions allowed the Vikings to focus on the draft and they took corners with their first 2 picks in the draft, followed by some additional depth pieces.

After a successful pre-season campaign, the Vikings are expecting big years from 2nd year QB Kellen Mond as well as a breakout year for WR Justin Jefferson and reigning MVP Dalvin Cook (now sporting his HS and College jersey Number now). Their season opens against a Falcons team looking to rebound from a first round playoff loss in 2021 with Superstars Kyle Pitts and Calvin Ridley

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